Parumala Perunnal Festival in Kerala

The Koothambalam , Situated 30 kms North West of Mananthavadi in the Wayanad region, Thirunelli Temple is known as the "main pilgrimage of South". Tucked away in the Brahmagiri Hills, Thirunelli Temple is encircled by the gurgling River Papanasini.

Interesting things to Visit

Koothambalam:

Parumala Church:

The church that contains the mortals of St.Gregorios of Parumala who was the first declared saint of Malankara Orthodox Church (Indian Orthodox Church).

Kadayanickadu Dharmashastha Temple:

The temple is dedicated to Lord Ayyappa and is located in a beautiful and peaceful place. It is about 4 km from Manimala Town.

Forane Church:

Forane Church perunal is very famous. It runs for a week and worshippers from all over the neighborhood from all casts attend the procession from Karikkattoor junction all the way to church which is about 4 kilometers.

Kaviyoor Hanuman Temple:

A Hanuman Temple is also located in the temple complex of Kaviyoor Temple. This is one of the famous major temples of Travancore Devaswam Board.

Pandalam Valiyakoyickal Temple:

This temple is located 15 kms away from Pathanamthitta on the banks of Achankovil river, is the Valiyakoyickal Temple of Sri Dharma Sastha. Believed to be constructed by the Raja of Pandalam, this Ayyappa shrine has been modeled on the Sabarimala temple. Pilgrims usually stop here to worship before proceeding to Sabarimala. One of the major events associated with the ‘Makaravilaku’ festival is the procession carrying the ‘Thiruvabharanam’ (sacred ornaments) of Lord Ayyappa from the Valiyakoyical temple to Sabarimala. This is performed three days prior to makaravilakku.

Sabarimala temple:

Sabarimala temple is located on the top of the hills of the Western Ghats. The holy shrine in Sabarimala is dedicated to Lord Ayyappa. Thousands of devotees visit Sabarimala during the months of November-January when the main festival takes place.The devotees who visit the temple during the festival walk barefoot through the uneven road to reach the temple.

Perunthenaruvi Waterfall:

The Perunthenaruvi Waterfall from Pathanamthitta via Vachoochira on the banks of the Pamba River about 10 km from Erumely, Perunthenaruvi is about 36 km from Pathanamthittais a natural fall down a rocky path into a ravine about 100 feet deep. Ideal for an outing, this place is a popular picnic spot.

Help Line/Phone Number

Police Station:

Police station
Pandalam, Pathanamthitta
Kerala.

Pulincunnoo Police Station
Alappuzha, Kerala
Tel: 0477 2222222.

Mavelikara Police Station
Mavelikkara, Alappuzha
Kerala.

Police Station
Pathanamthitta, kerala.

Ponkunnam Police Station
NH 220, Ponkunnam
Kottayam, Kerala.

Nearest Hospital:

Pushpagiri Medical College and Hospital
Pushpagiri Buildings
Pathanamthitta, Kerala
Tel: 0469 2700755.

Tiruvalla Medical Mission Hospital
Pathanamthitta, Kerala
Tel: 0469 2630144.

Govt.Hospital
Thiruvalla, Kottayam
Kerala
Tel: 0469 2602757.

AncySibi Pandisserry House
Ramankary, Alappuzha
Kerala 689595-
Tel: 09780892400.

GK Hospital
Kavumbhagom
Pathanamthitta, Kerala.

Central Research Institute For Homeopathy
Chethipuzha Kurichy Road
Kottayam, Kerala.

Government Hospital
Kottayam, Kottayam
Kerala State
Tel: 0481 2462550.

Useful Links

http://theorthodoxchurch.info/blog/news/2009/11/parumala-perunnal-concludes/
http://malankarasabha.blogspot.com/2009/11/parumala-perunnal-2009-has-concluded.html
http://jacobcherians.blogspot.com/2009/10/parumala-perunnal.html
http://topics4all.blogspot.com/2008/10/parumala-perunnal.html
http://www.theorthodoxchurch.info/blogs/news/2008/11/parumala-perunnal-2008.html
http://enchantingkerala.blogspot.com/2008/10/parumala-perunnal-memorial-feast-of-mar.html

Location info

Address: Parumala, Near Thiruvalla, Pathanamthitta District, Kerala, India
District: Pathanamthitta District
Nearest City: Trivandrum, Ernakulam, Thiruvalla, and Kozhencherryi.
Best time to visit: October to November.

Things to do at Parumala Perunnal

Watch the Parumala church and St. Paul’s Orthodox Church on the event of festival.

Mobile network coverage

Airtel, Jio, BSNL, and Vi all provide coverage across Kerala. 4G is reliable in Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode, and along the coastal belt. Coverage may be weaker in remote sections of the Western Ghats, deep forest reserves, and certain backwater stretches. Most hotels, houseboats, and cafes in tourist areas offer free Wi-Fi.

Food & restaurants nearby

Food options are available in the nearest town. Kerala cuisine — fish curry, appam with stew, puttu, and Kerala sadhya — is widely available and famously delicious.

Hotels & accommodation nearby

Accommodation is available in the nearest town or city. Options range from homestays to luxury resorts. Kerala’s homestay network is excellent and offers authentic local experiences.

Climate & weather

Kerala has a tropical monsoon climate with warm, humid conditions year-round. The best time to visit is November to February, when temperatures are a pleasant 22°C–30°C with low humidity and clear skies. March–May is hot and humid (up to 36°C). The southwest monsoon (June–September) brings heavy rainfall — the landscape transforms into lush green and this is the best time for Ayurvedic treatments. The northeast monsoon (October–November) brings shorter showers. Hill stations (Munnar, Wayanad) remain cooler year-round.

Nearest petrol pump

Petrol pumps are available in the nearest town or on the approach road — check locally for the closest option.

Best time to visit Parumala Perunnal

Parumala Perunna takes place according to the Malayalam calendar. The best time to witness this festival is during its scheduled dates, which vary annually. Most Kerala festivals occur between November and May (the dry season). Check the official dates from Kerala Tourism before planning your visit.

How to reach Parumala Perunnal

Nearest Airport: Cochin International Airport (COK) (approximately 0 km). Nearest Railway Station: Ernakulam Junction / Ernakulam Town Railway Station. The destination is well-connected by Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses and private taxis from major towns.

Timings & opening hours

Festival timings vary by event. Most temple festivals start in the morning with flag-hoisting ceremonies and continue through the evening with processions, cultural programs, and fireworks. Night processions typically start around 8:00 PM–9:00 PM and continue past midnight.

Entry fee & tickets

Most festival events are free to attend and watch. Processions and temple grounds can be accessed without charge. Special seating for fireworks viewing may cost INR 100–500. Some cultural performances during festivals may have ticketed entry.

Duration needed

Major festivals last 8–10 days. Visitors typically spend 2–3 hours per day watching key events. The main procession day requires 4–6 hours.

Safety tips

Very large crowds gather at Parumala Perunna — keep your belongings secure and watch for pickpockets. Arrive early for a good viewing position of processions. Follow the instructions of festival volunteers and police. Keep children close and establish a meeting point in case of separation. Carry water and stay hydrated. Avoid bringing large bags or valuables to crowded festival grounds.

Things to carry

Comfortable shoes for walking and standing (crowds can be very large, seating may not be available), drinking water in a reusable bottle, a hat or cap, sunscreen and umbrella for day events, a light snack, earplugs (processions can be very loud with drums and fireworks), a camera (zoom lens recommended for procession shots), a power bank, and a small bag that can be secured against pickpockets.

Nearby visiting places

Fort Kochi, Mattancherry Palace, Cherai Beach, Bolghatty Island, Marine Drive, Chinese Fishing Nets, Hill Palace Museum, Kerala Kathakali Centre, St. Francis Church

Nearest airport, railway & bus

History of Parumala Perunnal

Parumala Perunna is one of Kerala’s vibrant festivals that showcase the state’s rich cultural and religious diversity. Kerala’s festivals are renowned for their spectacular processions featuring caparisoned elephants, traditional percussion ensembles (pancha vadyam), colourful umbrellas, and fireworks. Many festivals are temple-related and follow the Malayalam calendar, creating a year-round cycle of celebrations that are an integral part of Kerala’s cultural identity. The festival reflects the unique syncretic traditions of Kerala where communities of all faiths participate in each other’s celebrations.

Frequently asked questions

When does this festival take place? — Most Kerala festivals follow the Malayalam calendar (Kollavarsham). Dates vary annually — check the Kerala Tourism website or local sources for exact dates for your travel period. Is the festival free to attend? — Yes, all processions and public events are free. Special seating areas for fireworks or cultural programmes may have ticketed entry. How crowded is it? — Very crowded during major festivals. Large events like Thrissur Pooram attract hundreds of thousands of people. Arrive early, keep belongings secure, and establish meeting points. What should I wear? — Comfortable clothing suitable for standing in crowds. Modest dress is appreciated. Wear comfortable shoes.